Shivamogga Jamboo Savari: Scary scenes as howdah elephant Somanna runs amok
The Jamboo Savari festival in Shivamogga featured a howdah elephant named Somanna, selected for the ride on Oct 21. During the procession, the elephant became agitated and broke free, causing panic among spectators and participants. Police and handlers intervened to restrain the animal. No serious injuries were reported, but the incident raised concerns about safety protocols for using elephants in festivals.